Australia moves to reclaim Darwin port amid China tensions
Australia intends to regain control over its northern port, which is currently leased by a Chinese company. Beijing has cautioned Australia against attempting to reclaim control over this port. "It's ethically questionable," says the Chinese ambassador.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has promised to bring the Port of Darwin under Australian control. He is considering the possibility of buying it out by finding a new private owner or through direct intervention by the Commonwealth, Bloomberg reports.
This declaration has unsettled the Chinese side, as the Chinese company Landbridge secured the 99-year lease in 2015. The agency notes that the Chinese ambassador in Australia has warned Canberra to be prudent when negotiating a new lease agreement.
The Chinese embassy stated that the lease of the Darwin port was awarded following an open and transparent process. It also emphasized that the company involved has invested substantially since then.
"Such an enterprise and project deserves encouragement, not punishment. It is ethically questionable to lease the port when it was unprofitable and then seek to reclaim it once it becomes profitable," stated Ambassador Xiao Qian in a statement.
Key port
Darwin is Australia's northernmost port, situated on the edge of Southeast Asia.
Importantly, it is located near a military training facility used by American marines. This is why handing it over to a Chinese company provoked criticism from then U.S. President Barack Obama, Bloomberg recalls.
